Comma NotesCondensed from pages 294-309 of Warriner’s Handbook

Rule 1 Use commas to separate items in a

series.

*A series consists of three or more items in a row and can include words, phrases, and short independent clauses

Examples Words

The engine rattled, coughed, and stalled. Phrases

There were fingerprints at the top, on the sides, and on the bottom.

Clauses We sang, we danced, we ate dinner,

and we played trivia games.

Rule 2 Use a comma to separate two or more

adjectives that come before a noun.

Examples: My spaniel is a fat, sassy puppy. The long, silver train slowly pulled into the

station.

Rule 2 If an adjective precedes a compound

noun (an adjective and noun that are closely linked) there is no need to include a comma after the first adjective.

Examples: The warm French bread tasted great with

the onion soup. A huge horned owl lives in those woods.

Rule 3 Use a comma before the coordinating

conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so when they join independent clauses in a compound sentence. Hint: Fanboys

Examples: Tamisha offered me a ticket, and I accepted. They had been working very hard, but they

didn’t seem especially tired.

Rule 3 When the independent clauses are very

short and there is no chance of misunderstanding, the comma before and, but, or or is sometimes omitted. Example:

Come with us or meet us there. Always us a comma before for, nor, so or

yet when joining independent clauses. Example: 

I was tired, yet I stayed

Rule 4 Use commas to set off an expression

that interrupts a sentence.

Rule 4 I

Use commas to set off nonessential participial phrases and nonessential subordinate clauses. A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) phrase

or clause adds information that is not needed to understand the basic meaning of the sentence. Such a phrase or clause can be omitted without changing the main idea of the sentence.

Rule 4I

Examples: My sister, listening to her radio, did not hear

me. Paul, thrilled by the applause, took a bow. The Wizard of Oz, which I saw again last

week, is my favorite movie. I reported on Secret of the Andes, which

was written by Ann Nolan Clark.

Rule 4 I

Do not set off an essential (or restrictive) phrase or clause. Since such a phrase or clause tells which one(s), it cannot be omitted without changing the basic meaning of the sentence.

Examples: A bowl made by Maria Martinez is a collector’s

item. The man who tells Navajo folk tales is Mr. Platero.

Rule 4II

Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and nonessential appositive phrases.

An appositive is a noun or a pronoun used to identify or describe another noun or pronoun.

Rule 4II

Examples: My oldest sister, Alicia, will be at the

basketball game. Jamaica, a popular island for tourists, is in

the Caribbean Sea. May I introduce you to Vernon, my cousin

from Jamaica?

Rule 4II

Do not use commas to set off an appositive that is essential to the meaning of a sentence.

Examples: My sister Alicia is at basketball practice. The planet Mercury is closer to the Sun than

any other planet in our solar system.

Rule 4III

Use commas to set off words that are used in direct address.

Examples: Ben, please answer the doorbell. Mom says she needs you, Francine.

Rule 4IV

Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.

A parenthetical expression is a side remark that adds information or shows a relationship between ideas.

Examples: Carl, on the contrary, prefers soccer to baseball. To tell the truth, Jan is one of my best friends. 

Common parenthetical expressions include for example, however, in fact, nevertheless, on the contrary, and on the other hand.

Rule 5 Use a comma after certain

introductory elements.

Rule 5 I

Use a comma after yes, no, or any mild exclamation such as well or why at the beginning of the sentence.

Examples: Yes, you may borrow my bicycle. Why, it’s Lena! Well, I think you are wrong.

Rule 5II

Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase.

Examples: Beginning a new school year, Zelda felt

somewhat nervous. Greeted with applause from the fans,

Rashid ran out onto the field.

Rule 5III

Use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases. Examples:

At the bottom of the hill, you will see the field. Until the end of the song, just keep strumming that

cord. Sometimes a comma is not necessary after a short

prepositional phrase. Be sure to use a comma when it is necessary to make the meaning of the sentence clear. Examples:

In the morning they left. In the morning, sunlight streamed through the

window.

Rule 5IV

Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause. Examples:

After I finish my homework, I will go to the park. When you go to the store, could you please pick up a

gallon of milk?

An adverb clause that comes at the end of a sentence does not usually need a comma. Example:

I will go to the park after I finish my homework.

Rule 6 Use commas in certain conventional

situations.

Rule 6I

Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses.

Examples: She was born on January 26, 1988, in

Cheshire, Connecticut. A letter dated November 26, 1888, was

found in the old house at 980 West street, Davenport, Iowa, yesterday.

Rule 6II

Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of any letter.

Work Cited*Condensed from pages 294-309 of

Warriner’s Handbook

Warriner, John E. “Commas.” Warriner’s Handbook: First Course. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2008. 294-309. Print.